Really upset me but it’s in the past: Moeen on Osama sledge

ENGLAND all-rounder Moeen Ali insists he's moved on following allegations of a racially-motivated remark made to him by an Australian player.

Ali claimed in his recently released autobiography that the player said 'Take that Osama' (a reference to Islamic terrorist Osama bin Laden) during a Test in the 2015 Ashes series.

Cricket Australia (CA), who were investigating the claim, have concluded there will be no further action given there was no new evidence to substantiate the claim due to the refusal of Ali to name the player or have any desire to pursue the issue.

Ali reportedly had a change of heart about naming the player in his book just before it was released earlier this month but the 31-year-old maintains it should never have happened.

Moeen Ali: That was the one that really upset me.

"That was probably the one [comment] that stands out," Moeen told BBC Radio 4's Today program.

"You always get stuff from the crowd, but that was the one that really upset me. "I can't believe he actually said that. But you move on and try and get on with performing for England. It was investigated and it's all done now, and it's in the past."

CA's integrity unit repeated their zero-tolerance approach to such remarks having worked in conjunction with their counterparts at the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

Moeen said he hoped highlighting what happened will lead to more respect between players on the field without diluting the tough nature of Test cricket.

"If that is trying to put your opponent off ... there's no room for that in life in general, not just in sports," he said.

"There are ways of putting your opponent off.

"Sometimes you don't need to say anything. Sometimes you can intimidate your opponent just by standing there.

"Sledging has never been personal, from the stories I hear, it's been serious but in good humour.

"More of a mental thing, rather than going personal and taking it too far.

"Personally I don't do anything. I don't feel like I need to. You can have the passion, but for me it's more about being a good person and trying to play cricket the right way."

England and Australia face off again for the Ashes next August with Tim Paine's side looking to end a wait of what will be 18 years to lift the urn away from home.

Ali expects the series to be played in a typically aggressive manner but said he'll have no problems if he does come face-to-face with the player who made the comment.

"I don't know if I'll be in the squad next year," he said.

"If I ever come up against him or someone in that mindset, so be it, but it doesn't bother me."